Newbury each-way tip: Robert Johnson looks overpriced to confirm 2023 promise

15:45 Newbury: Compton Beauchamp Estates Ltd Silver Bar Handicap (2 miles ½ furlong)

The top three in the betting all hold legitimate claims here, with Grand Providence and Metier strongly fancied to hit the ground running on their Flat season bows, the latter having cut his teeth on a hurdling pipe-opener at Sandown six weeks ago. 

Planet Sport Bet Daily Special: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Metier wins by more than 1 length, get a £5 Free Bet

Third-favourite Spartan Army also looks very interesting after an early-year all-weather campaign that yielded three wins and a creditable third in the All-Weather Marathon Final at Newcastle three weeks ago.

Catching the eye of Tipstrr’s each-way pundits, however, is the seemingly well-treated Robert Johnson, who enjoyed a stellar first year for Philip Kirby since switching from Rebecca Menzies’ yard in early 2023.

Early struggles in a couple of hurdling and all-weather efforts were soon forgotten once he was switched to Flat turf, on which he produced five winning performances in his next six attempts, despite his mark climbing by 17 pounds during that three-month purple patch.

Suggested best bet: Robert Johnson each-way in the 15:45 at Newbury

Only the favourite Temporize was too good for Robert Johnson in the Coral Handicap at Glorious Goodwood in August, with the front two pulling five lengths clear of their 15 rivals, who were rated higher than most he will face here.

The six-year-old clearly needed the run when third of five on his season debut 17 days ago after a seven-month break, but even then it was far from a disgrace to finish barely a length behind the eventual winner.

That was over 18 furlongs of testing heavy ground at Pontefract, so this drop back to two miles on slightly better ground should prove more suitable than that cobweb-blower, and he should be in prime shape for a bold bid here under Connor Beasley.

 

Tip advised by The Outsiders on Tipstrr

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